WWII veteran visits Langley

Ms. Jeanne Benedict, World War II U.S. Navy cartographer, speaks with U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Alison Kamataris, 497th Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Group deputy commander, during her tour at Joint Base Langley-Eustis Nov. 8, 2016. Ms. Benedict is a veteran who served in the Navy as a photo interpreter and spoke with other Intel Airmen to teach them about how the intelligence community has evolved throughout the years. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Darnell T. Cannady)

Ms. Jeanne Benedict, World War II cartographer, laughs as she shares her stories with the Airmen of the 497th Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Group during a tour at Joint Base Langley-Eustis Nov. 8, 2016. Ms. Benedict and her family was invited to visit the 36th Intelligence Squadron and 480th ISRW to pass on her experiences and knowledge as part of Veteran day. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Darnell T. Cannady)

Jeanne Benedict, former U.S. Navy Specialist 2nd Class and former member of Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service poses for a photo during her tour of the 36th Intelligence Squadron at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, Nov. 8, 2016. During her service in World War II, Benedict served as cartographer for 22 months. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Tristan Biese)

AWorld War II veteran and her family visited the 36th Intelligence Squadron and the 497th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group at Joint Base Langley- Eustis, Virginia, Nov. 8, 2016.

Jeanne Benedict, former U.S. Navy Specialist 2nd Class and former member of Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service served as a cartographer in WWII for 22 months.

Established in 1942, members of WAVES were some of the first female recruits accepted into the U.S. Navy.

While on her tour of the base, Benedict witnessed how the work she did in WWII is done today. Much has changed since Benedict served, but a lot of the same things are still done today ­-- just in a different way.

“What you can do today compared to what I did, is like a jet plane to a horse and buggy,” said Benedict. “But, that horse and buggy did a daggum good job, with what we had and the technology we had at that time, it is absolutely amazing.”

During the tour Benedict recited her version of “It Is The Soldier” by Charles M. Province:

“It is the veteran, not the minister

who has given us freedom of religion.

It is the veteran, not the reporter

who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the veteran, not the poet

who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the veteran, not the campus organizer

who has given us freedom to protest.

It is the veteran, not the lawyer

who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the veteran, not the politician

who has given us the right to vote.

It is the veteran who salutes the flag,

who serves beneath the flag,

and whose coffin is draped by the flag,

who allows the protester to burn the flag.”

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col Denise Hamilton, 36 ISR Wing inspector general, helped organize the tour with Bendict as a way to honor all veterans.